Nafplio, Greece
An expat in Nafplio, Greece discusses the positives and negatives of living in Greece. The language, lack of green space and general attitude of the people are all challenges. The weather, laissez faire attitudes of Greek people and carefree lifestyle of children are all positives.
Nafplio
None.
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We were planning on learning the language if we stayed permanently, but have decided Greece is not for us. Whilst here we have learned a few words to get by. It is a very difficult language and I found the worst part is the different alphabet, with some upper and lower case letters shaped completely differently. That is made worse by the fact that the same words can be written in several ways and the assortment of fonts used often make it hard to work out what the letters are. I think it would have taken years to get to grips with it properly.
Not as worried and therefore prepared as I should have been!
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This time it was considerable. I was expecting more similarities with northern European attitudes, ways of thinking than there are.
I don't think we really had a honeymoon phase, more a hopeful one. The irritation to anger phase was more disbelief to amusement to irritation to acceptance with even some fondness. I don't know if we would ever have reached the full adjustment and integration phase as we have decided to move on.
Depression definitely. I felt guilty when I realised that actually I don't want to adjust to some things, that I really want to keep various aspects of my previous life. It may seem narrow minded but hey, I'm 60, I've lived all round the world and have learned what is important to me. Frustration, yes. Homesickness - well that was a surprise! I never thought I'd miss the UK! Half my life was lived elsewhere and I like everyone else had moaned about the weather and the NHS. Now I miss English speaking health care professionals, green landscapes and even rain!
Oddly the laissez faire attitude is appealing. Less red tape and rules or rather less notice taken of it! Very freeing! Though the same attitude is also frightening in some aspects, like on the roads. Eeek! Not for the less assertive driver! Making small cameos of spaces attractive amongst the greyness of concrete. The most wonderful thing has been seeing children playing without being wrapped in cotton wool and overprotected. A real childhood.
The language obviously. The lack of interest in change and thinking ahead, especially in this time of economic hardship. The lack of care for animals. The standard Greek loo paper bins. Shudder.
Not that I know of!
If you have no choice as to where you are to live, as with a job posting, then I think adaptation might be easier. With choices come judgements and doubts. If you do have choices perhaps commit to putting aside doubts for a few weeks/months whilst you get out and about as much as possible and try to do as many everyday normal life things as you can.
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If you're moving to Greece, it's important to understand the health insurance requirements when seeking a short or long-term visa, the quality of healthcare outside of Athens including in Greek Islands, vaccines for Greece and more. (more)
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